Blake Powers, the Laughing Wolf and Blackfive.net's Civilian-in-Residence, is in Iraq reporting for PMI/The Long War Journal and Blackfive...donations to PMI (a non-profit media organization) keep independent reporting possible from the Long War.

"Come on, come on," mutters the raid commander in a low voice, talking
almost to himself as the convoy began moving into the target area.
Moving into the target area of Baghdad, everyone can easily imagine
the people in the first clumps of buildings calling ahead to warn what
was coming.

The column moved in, all the parts of the raid arriving at the target
area together to try and seal it off. Those in overwatch scan not
just for threats, but for people running, trying to get away. The
designated teams move in, hitting the targets almost as one.

Intelligence had been developed indicating that assets of JAM, a
terrorist organization that is as problematic -- if not more so --
than Al Queda in some areas, were in the area. The decision to try
and take these assets had been made, and I found myself riding with
the commander as the mixed column of Humvees and Bradleys moved
rapidly through the streets to link up with others at the target.

Almost as quickly as our vehicle stopped, I could hear reports of
teams moving out. Shortly after, I could hear the sounds of gates
being forced.

In Iraq, as is true in many places outside of the United States, the
homes have an exterior courtyard that is walled and has a metal gate.
In more well-to-do areas, there may be a gate for a vehicle and a gate
for people, but most have just one gate for both. The doors into the
homes are most often metal, and have multiple locking systems. The
walls of the courtyard may have obstacles on top,ranging from somewhat
decorative to broken bottles in cement.

Exactly how one enters a home or building depends on what is being
done. Sometimes, the troops simply knock and or ask that the gate and
doors be opened, and the people do so. One soldier may even go over
the gate or wall, and simply open it from inside. In cases where one
is dealing with not-so-nice people, sledge hammers and other tools are
employed. In extreme cases, small explosive charges or even vehicles
can be used to pop a gate and allow a team quick entry.

Our raid used tools for the most part, though I heard later from the
troops that one enterprising soldier did indeed go over and help make
things easy at another target. The gate and door at the target
closest to the commander had been reinforced, and the entry was
difficult. The commander followed the team, and we moved in behind,
making sure those clearing the building knew that we were there.

It was clear that someone had been there very recently, perhaps even
minutes before the teams arrived. Cell phones are ubiquitous here,
and the concern from earlier as our column had moved in were not far
fetched. Other teams had much better luck, and once the homes and
buildings that were the subject of the raid had been cleared, teams
began to search.

Meantime, people were secured as well. In homes, whole families from
youngest to oldest may sleep in a large common room, and other homes
may have visitors as well. Other things happen, which means that the
teams may have to deal with detaining and talking to a dozen or more
men -- which is what faced this raid. One home was used for holding
and interviews, with the men who had been rounded up kept out in the
courtyard, separated, and in flexi-cuffs for safety. Inside, the
commander and others talked first with the women of the home, both
reassuring and learning as much as they could.

Older males were allowed to use the bathroom if/as needed, which often
is a separate room/building near the outside wall. They were then
brought inside, flexi-cuffs removed if they were on, and allowed to
sit on the chairs and sofas that line the walls of the house's common
room. As I watched, they were asked about any medical problems, and
encouraged to relax as much as they could. At a questioning movement
from one older male, it was made clear that they could indeed smoke if
they so desired.

One at a time, the men in the courtyard were brought in, taken to a
room, and questioned. Faces were compared to those wanted,
information gathered, and decisions made.

This is both a boring time and a tricky time in a raid. The soldiers
who have done them a while know that all may not be as it seems. In
many cases, they have realized that the women may be literally sitting
or lying on the things they seek, or even holding packages and
materials up under their robes. The iniitial talking to, and
subsequent watching, can often spot such things.

In the case of our raid, the home checked out clean, and the women did
not appear to be holding anything. Early on, the commander had
allowed one of them to go upstairs to get an infant they said was
there, and while obviously concerned about things, they focused a good
deal on the children in the room. Most of the children slept right
through everything, while the child from upstairs happily crawled
around and drank from a bottle, fascinated with the goings on.

While the raid missed some of the human targets they had been hoping
to arrest, other targets were grabbed. Once those were clear, the
remaining people were released, and we departed the courtyard, one of
the women making shooing motions towards us.

Returning to the vehicles, there was one more job to do that night.
The team was asked to examine an Iraqi checkpoint in the area that had
come under suspicion.

The situation here is complex, and what is happening with the Iraqi
Police is but one example. You have areas where they do very well,
showing the best of what we think of as law and order. Then you have
other areas, where they are either ineffectual, corrupt, or even
working with JAM or other groups. I was told that when we approached
an Iraqi Police or other similar checkpoint to cover my ears and
crunch a bit, as that was frequently when you would be hit by an IED
-- sometimes placed and triggered by those in the checkpoint.

That didn't happen this time, though there were clearly problems.
After searching the area and talking to the people, we called it a
"day" and left. The report on the post would be turned in, for other
people to deal with.

For the leaders of the raid, going back meant a time of paperwork and
calls. For the troops, it meant a time to take care of gear as
needed, relax a little, and get some rack time. Taking out terrorist
assets of various types is just one part of the job here, but it is
one they do well.

Comments

Night Raid in Baghdad

Blake Powers, the Laughing Wolf and Blackfive.net's Civilian-in-Residence, is in Iraq reporting for PMI/The Long War Journal and Blackfive...donations to PMI (a non-profit media organization) keep independent reporting possible from the Long War.

"Come on, come on," mutters the raid commander in a low voice, talking
almost to himself as the convoy began moving into the target area.
Moving into the target area of Baghdad, everyone can easily imagine
the people in the first clumps of buildings calling ahead to warn what
was coming.

The column moved in, all the parts of the raid arriving at the target
area together to try and seal it off. Those in overwatch scan not
just for threats, but for people running, trying to get away. The
designated teams move in, hitting the targets almost as one.

Intelligence had been developed indicating that assets of JAM, a
terrorist organization that is as problematic -- if not more so --
than Al Queda in some areas, were in the area. The decision to try
and take these assets had been made, and I found myself riding with
the commander as the mixed column of Humvees and Bradleys moved
rapidly through the streets to link up with others at the target.

Almost as quickly as our vehicle stopped, I could hear reports of
teams moving out. Shortly after, I could hear the sounds of gates
being forced.

In Iraq, as is true in many places outside of the United States, the
homes have an exterior courtyard that is walled and has a metal gate.
In more well-to-do areas, there may be a gate for a vehicle and a gate
for people, but most have just one gate for both. The doors into the
homes are most often metal, and have multiple locking systems. The
walls of the courtyard may have obstacles on top,ranging from somewhat
decorative to broken bottles in cement.

Exactly how one enters a home or building depends on what is being
done. Sometimes, the troops simply knock and or ask that the gate and
doors be opened, and the people do so. One soldier may even go over
the gate or wall, and simply open it from inside. In cases where one
is dealing with not-so-nice people, sledge hammers and other tools are
employed. In extreme cases, small explosive charges or even vehicles
can be used to pop a gate and allow a team quick entry.

Our raid used tools for the most part, though I heard later from the
troops that one enterprising soldier did indeed go over and help make
things easy at another target. The gate and door at the target
closest to the commander had been reinforced, and the entry was
difficult. The commander followed the team, and we moved in behind,
making sure those clearing the building knew that we were there.

It was clear that someone had been there very recently, perhaps even
minutes before the teams arrived. Cell phones are ubiquitous here,
and the concern from earlier as our column had moved in were not far
fetched. Other teams had much better luck, and once the homes and
buildings that were the subject of the raid had been cleared, teams
began to search.

Meantime, people were secured as well. In homes, whole families from
youngest to oldest may sleep in a large common room, and other homes
may have visitors as well. Other things happen, which means that the
teams may have to deal with detaining and talking to a dozen or more
men -- which is what faced this raid. One home was used for holding
and interviews, with the men who had been rounded up kept out in the
courtyard, separated, and in flexi-cuffs for safety. Inside, the
commander and others talked first with the women of the home, both
reassuring and learning as much as they could.

Older males were allowed to use the bathroom if/as needed, which often
is a separate room/building near the outside wall. They were then
brought inside, flexi-cuffs removed if they were on, and allowed to
sit on the chairs and sofas that line the walls of the house's common
room. As I watched, they were asked about any medical problems, and
encouraged to relax as much as they could. At a questioning movement
from one older male, it was made clear that they could indeed smoke if
they so desired.

One at a time, the men in the courtyard were brought in, taken to a
room, and questioned. Faces were compared to those wanted,
information gathered, and decisions made.

This is both a boring time and a tricky time in a raid. The soldiers
who have done them a while know that all may not be as it seems. In
many cases, they have realized that the women may be literally sitting
or lying on the things they seek, or even holding packages and
materials up under their robes. The iniitial talking to, and
subsequent watching, can often spot such things.

In the case of our raid, the home checked out clean, and the women did
not appear to be holding anything. Early on, the commander had
allowed one of them to go upstairs to get an infant they said was
there, and while obviously concerned about things, they focused a good
deal on the children in the room. Most of the children slept right
through everything, while the child from upstairs happily crawled
around and drank from a bottle, fascinated with the goings on.

While the raid missed some of the human targets they had been hoping
to arrest, other targets were grabbed. Once those were clear, the
remaining people were released, and we departed the courtyard, one of
the women making shooing motions towards us.

Returning to the vehicles, there was one more job to do that night.
The team was asked to examine an Iraqi checkpoint in the area that had
come under suspicion.

The situation here is complex, and what is happening with the Iraqi
Police is but one example. You have areas where they do very well,
showing the best of what we think of as law and order. Then you have
other areas, where they are either ineffectual, corrupt, or even
working with JAM or other groups. I was told that when we approached
an Iraqi Police or other similar checkpoint to cover my ears and
crunch a bit, as that was frequently when you would be hit by an IED
-- sometimes placed and triggered by those in the checkpoint.

That didn't happen this time, though there were clearly problems.
After searching the area and talking to the people, we called it a
"day" and left. The report on the post would be turned in, for other
people to deal with.

For the leaders of the raid, going back meant a time of paperwork and
calls. For the troops, it meant a time to take care of gear as
needed, relax a little, and get some rack time. Taking out terrorist
assets of various types is just one part of the job here, but it is
one they do well.

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The Authors

Former Paratrooper and Army Officer, "Blackfive" started this blog upon learning of the valorous sacrifice of a friend that was not reported by the journalist whose life he saved. Email: blackfive AT gmail DOT com

Instapinch
Bill Paisley, otherwise known as Pinch, is a 22 year (ongoing) active and
reserve naval aviator. He blogs over at www.instapinch.com on a veritable
cornucopia of various and sundry items and will bring a tactical naval
aviator's perspective to Blackfive. Readers be warned: any comments of or
about the F-14 Tomcat will be reverential and spoken in low, hushed tones.
Email: wpaisley AT comcast DOT net

Mr. Wolf has over 26 years in the Army, Army NG, and USAR. He’s Airborne with 5 years as an NCO, before becoming an officer. Mr. Wolf has had 4 company commands. Signal Corp is his basic branch, and Public Affairs is his functional area. He recently served 22 straight months in Kuwait and Iraq, in Intel, PA, and senior staff of MNF-I. Mr. Wolf is now an IT executive. He is currently working on a book on media and the Iraq war. Functional gearhead.

In Iraq, he received the moniker of Mr. Wolf after the Harvey Kietel character in Pulp Fiction, when "challenges" arose, they called on Mr. Wolf...
Email: TheDOTMrDOTWolfAT gmail DOT com

Deebow is a Staff Sergeant and a Military Police Squad Leader in the Army National Guard. In a previous life, he served in the US Navy. He has over 19 years of experience in both the Maritime and Land Warfare; including deployments to Southwest Asia, Thailand, the South Pacific, South America and Egypt. He has served as a Military Police Team Leader and Protective Services Team Leader and he has served on assignments with the US State Department, US Air Force Security Police, US Army Criminal Investigation Division, and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. He recently spent time in Afghanistan working with, training and fighting alongside Afghan Soldiers and is now focused on putting his 4 year Political Science degree to work by writing about foreign policy, military security policy and politics.

McQ has 28 years active and reserve service. Retired. Infantry officer. Airborne and Ranger. Consider my 3 years with the 82nd as the most fun I ever had with my clothes on. Interests include military issues and policy and veteran's affairs.
Email: mcq51 -at - bellsouth -dot- net

Tantor is a former USAF navigator/weapon system officer (WSO) in F-4E Phantoms who served in the US, Asia, and Europe. He is now a curmudgeonly computer geek in Washington, DC, picking the taxpayers pocket. His avocations are current events, aviation, history, and conservative politics.

Twenty-three years of Active and Reserve service in the US Army in SF (18B), Infantry and SOF Signal jobs with operational deployments to Bosnia and Africa. Since retiring he's worked as Senior Defense Analyst on SOF and Irregular Warfare projects and currently ensconced in the emerging world of Cyberspace.

The Authors Emeritus

Major Pain --
A Marine who began his blog in Iraq and reflects back on what he learned there and in Afghanistan. To the point opinions, ideas and thoughts on military, political and the media from One Marine’s View.Email: onemarinesview AT yahoo DOT com

Uber Pig was an Infantryman from late 1991 until early 1996, serving with Second Ranger Battalion, I Corps, and then 25th Infantry Division. At the time, the Army discriminated against enlisted soldiers who wanted use the "Green to Gold" program to become officers, so he left to attend Stanford University. There, he became expert in detecting, avoiding, and surviving L-shaped ambushes, before dropping out to be as entrepreneurial as he could be. He is now the founder of a software startup serving the insurance and construction industries, and splits time between Lake Tahoe, Boonville, and San Francisco, CA.

Uber Pig writes for Blackfive a) because he's the proud brother of an enlisted Civil Affairs Reservist who currently serves in Iraq, b) because he looks unkindly on people who make it harder for the military in general, and for his brother in particular, to succeed at their missions and come home in victory, and c) because the Blackfive readers and commenters help keep him sane.

COB6 spent 24 years in the active duty Army that included 5 combat tours with service in the 1st Ranger Battalion and 1st Special Forces Group . COB6 was enlisted (E-7) and took the OCS route to a commission. COB6 retired a few years back as a field grade Infantry officer.
Currently COB6 has a son in the 82nd Airborne that just returned from his third tour and has a newly commissioned daughter in the 4th Infantry Division.